USA, Russia and China Submarine Lower Detectability Race

Admiralty Shipyards, a Russian company, held a ceremonial launching the Varshavyanka-class diesel-electric submarines. Dubbed the Krasnodar, the vessel is the fourth of a planned six upgraded Kilo-class subs Russia is constructing under Project 636.3.

Russian claims the Varshavyanka-class are the “quietest in the world, and so was dubbed ‘black hole’ by NATO.”

The US Congressional Research Service has the following chart of diesel submarine quietness.


The new Kilo is armed with 18 torpedoes and eight surface-to-air Club missiles, Project 636.3 submarines are mainly intended for anti-shipping
and anti-submarine missions in relatively shallow waters. They have an extended combat range and can strike surface, underwater and land targets,” Russia Today previously reported. The torpedoes are launched out of six 533-mm bays, which automatically reload every 15 seconds.

Fifty-two sailors are needed to operate the subs, which displace 3,100 tons and can maintain continuous patrol for 45 days